It’s been over two years since we’ve sold this favorite shirt and it’s back by popular demand! Through Teespring this design is available as a t-shirt in black and charcoal and as a sweatshirt in black, grey & white. This design will be available through Tuesday, September 27th and to your doorstep in time for your Halloween festivities or to sport at our next game on October the 22nd! Buy Here! If you didn’t catch them online a limited amount will be sold at our October 22nd game!

For the Month of May we have been celebrating #916 Irish U Luck! She has been a familiar face and held many different positions in the league but the one that gets her most excited is of course spearheading the leagues participation in the City of Norfolk’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year. We asked her a few standard questions and these were her responses!

What’s your day job?

I have a license to exam boobies, seriously, I’m an x-ray tech with an advanced modality in mammography and bone density.

Did you have any skating experience before you started roller derby?

Not in the way roller derby requires. Skating in circles at the rink and playing hokey pokey.

How did you discover roller derby?

I grew up in the skating rink and have a hot temper so I did a little research for an outlet to keep me out of trouble with the law and found that DDG had an upcoming bout. I went as a spectator and signed up for the next Fresh Meat class…the rest is history.

Have you skated with any other league besides Dominion? How long have you been skating?

Nope, DDG is my one and only. I’ve been skating since the 80’s (ouch, now my age may be calculated), but skating in roller derby for 6 years (June 2010).

what are your non-derby hobbies or hidden talents?

Well, wouldn’t you like to know

What things do you love about roller derby?

I like to hit people. I mean where else can you hit someone and get away with it?

What would you say to someone who is considering playing roller derby?

Go for it! You only live once, worst case, you quit, best case, you’re a real life roller derby girl.

Describe roller derby with three words.

Athletic, fierce, competitive.

What kind of gear are you rolling on?

Luigino Q6 boots, Pilot F-16 plates and Roller Bones 94 wheels

Do you have any pre-bout rituals to get your mind right before a game?

Yes, I lay around all day, drinks lots of water and basically just conserve any amount of energy that will be needed on the track.

Chris Ramsay Photography

Here’s what some of Irish’s teammates and coaches had to say about her.

“She is pure joy to be around and such an inspiration! Her athleticism is only matched by her great attitude and dedication to the team! Her smile lights up the room”

“Irish is a predator on the track, smart, aggressive and pretty effing hilarious to boot!”

“I LOVE HERRRRRR”

“Hits pretty damn hard! And super funny! I love being around her.”

“She’s motivating and dedicated. She is competitive in the best way and embodies good sportsmanship.”

Dominion Derby Girls start back up the Skater of the month featuring Dominion All-Star Texas Knockout #13. We hope you enjoy getting to know our skaters and their lives on and off the track. Here’s a quick interview we did with Texas.

How did you discover Roller Derby?

I discovered Roller Derby through a fellow coast guardsmen whose wife played with the Big Easy Roller Girls in New Orleans.

Did you have any previous skating experience before starting roller derby?

Yes, I’ve been skating since I could remember.

How long have you been playing roller derby?

I have been playing roller derby for two years and two months.

Describe roller derby in three words.

Commitment. Team. Rewarding

You were featured in a video about the Coast Guard recently, can you tell us about that?

I am currently AD in the Coast Guard and the recruiting command reached out to me interested in the fact that I utilize my spare time to be on a competitive and traveling roller derby league. They used my story to show people who may be interested in joining that you can still do things outside of the military.

Check out her Coast Guard video here!

What do you love about roller derby?

I love the competitive edge derby gives me. I love pushing myself and trying to become better than I have been before. I love being part of a team and helping others discover their full potential. I also enjoy traveling out of the state for different bouts. Our road trips always have some interesting twist!

Do you have any pre-bout rituals that get your mind right before a game?

I have my pre-bout playlist of music to get me amp’d before the game! It varies from Flo Rida to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

What kind of gear are you rolling on?

I currently have Presto 93’s and Morps 93/88 wheels that I switch between, with the Avenger DA 45 plates and my boots are the ever so comfy Riedell Blue Streaks! I love my setup for the time being.

What are your non-derby hobbies/ activities/ hidden talents?

Outside of roller derby I like exploring surrounding cities and doing outdoor activities with my husband and friends.

We have a new fresh meat class starting this Sunday, what would your words be to someone thinking about playing roller derby?

Stop procrastinating and come out! You will never regret it. Not only do you have a blast but it’s an amazing work-out!

Along with the interview here’s what some of her teammates, league mates and coaches had to say about her:

She’s fierce! Driven and powerful on the track, a challenge to skate against!

Tough blocker, skilled jammer, amazing twerker, and super friendly.

Tex is a great motivator and her optimistic outlook is infectious.

Incredibly athletic, funny and kind.

Texas is always positive and encouraging on the track and an asset as a jammer as well as a blocker.

She is an amazing skater and a fantastic team player. She is extremely thoughtful and is so easy to talk to. Love her!

DDG’s fresh meat program takes in new skaters and referees on a quarterly basis throughout the year. Classes are held on Wednesdays and Sundays, except for certain holidays. A certain amount of non-skating hours are also required. Our next round of classes will start Wednesday July 6th, right after the holiday weekend! Plan to be at Haygood Skating rink by 8:30pm to start filling out paperwork. Open skate will still be going on when you arrive but just come on in1

We are a competitive WFTDA league and run a training program that strives to prepare you for safe and competitive play on a travel team or home team. One fresh meat cycle takes three months where we cover the fundamentals for playing roller derby. Are you excited about getting involved with derby but want to check it out, or don’t feel like you’re ready to step out there on skates? We’re always looking for off-skates volunteers for our Monday night practices and games. Contact us at training@dominionderbygirls.net or through our facebook page!